The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-23
MIR. EDGERT0N'S VIEWS.
A DEMOCRATIC EXPOSITION OF THE
CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
II IL Only Brawling Partisan Offensive-
ness in ONCE Holders that the
President Condemns No
Rights Forfeited.

WASHINGTON, Oct. Civil Service
Commissioner Edgcrton, during an inter
view had with him 10y an Associat, press
reporter yesterday, was asked il in his
opinion government clerks and other en-
ploycs had a right, unabridged by the civil
service laws, 10 associate themselves
together as n society or association for the
purpose of advancing the interests OF any
political party and whether such society
or association have right to assess its
members or to receive from them, directly
or indirectly, contributions for political
purposes. PROFESSIONALLY they have that
right replied Mr.. Edgcrton. when q
person has successfully passed u civil serv-
Ice examination, and has been duly certi-
fled and permanently appointed to the
classified service, there the authority OF
the commission ceases, and his action
thereafter il controlled by the appointing
power. From that moment his action Is
outside Of the control authority, influence
or power of the civil service commissioner.
lie is entirely outside Of their jurisdic-
ton"
But" qucricd the reporter, sis not the
commission charged with the enforcement
Of the civil service law, and does not that
law prohibit such contributions
section 49, Of the act of January 10,
1889. says: No officer, clerk or other per-
suu in the service Of the United States
shall directly or indirectly give or hand
over Ia any other officer. clerk or person
in the service Of the United States, or 10
any senator or member oi the House of
Representatives or Territorial delegates
any money or other valuable thing on nc
count Of, ar iO hc applied tn the protection
Of an political object whatever.
"ls not the civil service commission
responsible for the enforcement oi that
law In it, letter and sprit2'
Certainly II H., said Mr.. Edgcrton.
! "But that law has nothing tn do with in
| diNdunls outside oi their offices ar official
positions Nothing is said about aSocia.
! tons The commission IL not licensed ~
! u detective association nor clothed with its
/ functions ar authority. EN-CommiSsion-
en-, Eaton and Grgury, IN letter To the
| President. dated October 10 lSsb, state
that II hardly need b. said that the COM
mission hns NO authority concerning tho
enforcement of the criminal provisions ~
the civil service act The President, in
his circular letter IT July ~, 1880, Ia the
heads 1T the department, vlys that in
diyidunl Interest and activity IN political
affairs arr hy no means condemned. Office
| holden, are neither DISTINGUISHED nor for
! hddrn the exercise ol political privileges,
! hut their privileges arr not enlarged, nor
| w their duty tn party Increased Ia permit
ciuus activity by ullir, holding Tan any
fI.tY.4 L. t.t.tft.sf la fhuu IhufHff
said Mr. Elgrnon docs the Pn'sl.
dent nnyWhcr' in that letter intimate that
n clerk must become political mutc2
| No, sir, u IN pcrniCious activity, Il II the
| bawling ofcnsiycucss that the President
| condemns, ~ do all right thinking men,
hut nn honest effort In the interest II tho
party in whose principles he believes is
commcndnhlc'
what arr your views Ia regard ~ Mr..
Obcrly's recent urlcr that members 81
any political committee or association. or
any one engaged In the work Of promoiing
the Interests Of amy political party, shall
not bc eligible Tor appointment ON boards
| ui civil service cXaminrr,'' was asked
II think such an order X not justified
hy the law or any Orlcr mndc hy the prua
idont II involves political inquiry by the
commission, right ~ privilege denied 10
II by thc law" was the reply.
Gle might ~ well orlcr that any man
belonging Ia any particular religious socic-
ty shall be- ineligible Tor appointment on
such boards NJ, sir. +" hc continued, ''ali
OF this IL outside IT the Jurisdiction 81 the
civil service commission. thoroughly
! believe IN an honest Interpretation of the
! civil service law. | believe In enforcing
! that law In the manner Congress intended
Ia have II cnlppcd, but do not believe
/ la amining after something, nobody
knows What, iof political ur personal II.
/ feet, and lulicyc that the President and
thrc-iourlhs OF the Democratic party will
| nslnln NV position"